Kroger controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Albertsons seeks more than $8 billion in damages from Kroger over failed merger
Lawsuit filed
Albertsons announced it is seeking more than $8 billion in damages from Kroger, alleging that Kroger failed to come up with an asset divestiture plan that would have appeased the antitrust regulators evaluating the retailers' previously planned merger. Albertsons claims Kroger refused to divest assets necessary for antitrust approval, ignored feedback from the FTC and state regulators, and refused to work with Albertsons in good faith. The claim, made in the Delaware Court of Chancery where Albertsons has also filed a suit seeking the $600 million break-up fee, includes lost shareholder value and other related losses from the failed merger; that trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 19. The allegations are Albertsons' claims and have not been adjudicated.
Source excerpt
Albertsons revealed that it is seeking more than $8 billion in damages from Kroger, alleging that its Cincinnati-based rival failed to come up with an asset divestiture plan that would have appeased the antitrust regulators who were evaluating the retailers’ previously planned merger.
The $8 billion-plus that Albertsons is now seeking includes lost shareholder value and other related losses as a result of the failed merger, Albertsons said.
The claim was made in the Delaware Court of Chancery, where Albertsons has filed a suit seeking the $600 million break-up fee from the failed merger. That trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 19.
2026
Jalapeño recall expands to downstream products
Recall announced
Following a recall by Coast Citrus Distributors of fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, downstream recalls are being conducted for recalled jalapeños and products containing them. Whole Foods Market recalled salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo and prepared products containing jalapeños sold online and in stores across multiple states, and Taylor Fresh Foods recalled multiple products containing recalled jalapeños distributed to retail distribution centers in numerous states. Stores that received recalled products include Hannaford, Kroger, Stop and Shop, Target, Trader Joe's, Walmart, and Whole Foods. Taylor Fresh Foods is no longer sourcing products from this farmer and will fill orders from alternative suppliers. FSIS also issued a public health alert for meat and poultry products containing FDA-regulated jalapeños that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Company response
Recall — Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market recall (8/12)
Recall — Taylor Fresh Foods
Taylor Fresh Foods recall (8/9)
Remediation — Taylor Fresh Foods
Source excerpt
As a result of the recall by Coast Citrus Distributors, downstream recalls are being conducted for recalled jalapeños and products containing recalled jalapeños.
2026
Kroger controversy note: Taylor Fresh Foods recalls 20 prepared foods containing jalapeños over Salmonella risk
Recall announced
Taylor Fresh Foods recalled 20 prepared food products containing jalapeños because of possible Salmonella contamination, including 16 products distributed to Texas retailers such as Kroger, Target, Trader Joe's, Walmart and Whole Foods. The recall followed a supplier recall by Coast Citrus Distributors of fresh jalapeños linked to a multistate Salmonella Javiana outbreak, and Taylor Fresh Foods said it stopped sourcing peppers from the implicated grower in Sinaloa, Mexico.
Company response
Recall — Taylor Farms
這家總部位於加州的食品供應商9日表示，在接獲分銷商Coast Citrus通知、得知該公司正在召回新鮮墨西哥辣椒後，決定自願召包括莎莎醬（salsas）及牛油果醬（guacamole）在內的產品。
Remediation — Taylor Farms
公司在聲明中表示，公司已停止向墨西哥錫那羅亞州（Sinaloa）一名被認定為此次沙門氏菌疫情潛在源頭的農戶採購產品。
Remediation — Taylor Farms
Taylor Farms said it is no longer sourcing products from this farmer.
Source excerpt
由於擔心產品可能受到沙門氏菌污染，食品公司Taylor Farms正在全美大約20個州召回部分含墨西哥辣椒（jalapeños）的預製食品，涉及零售店包括沃爾瑪（Walmart）、Kroger及Whole Foods等。
當局對此次沙門氏菌疫情的調查發現，包括墨西哥燒烤連鎖餐廳Chipotle和墨西哥風味連鎖餐廳Qdoba在內的多家餐廳，都曾收到由Coast Citrus進口的墨西哥辣椒。
公司在聲明中表示，公司已停止向墨西哥錫那羅亞州（Sinaloa）一名被認定為此次沙門氏菌疫情潛在源頭的農戶採購產品。
2022
Ground beef recalled over E. coli contamination
Recall announced
The USDA announced a recall of about 28,356 pounds of ground beef after testing showed E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Products included Kroger-branded beef and products sold at Walmart and other retailers; the affected beef had been shipped to seven U.S. states.
Source excerpt
Interstate Meat Dist. Inc. of Clackamas, OR, initiated the recall of approximately 28,356 pounds of ground beef products because testing showed positive results for contamination with E. coli O157:H7.
The USDA has announced the recall of nearly 30,000 pounds of ground beef, including Kroger-branded ground beef sold at Fred Meyer and QFC supermarkets, as well as products sold at Albertsons, Walmart, and WinCo grocery stores.
The ground been was shipped to retail locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
2022
Interstate Meat Dist. recalls ground beef sold under multiple brands
Recall announced
Interstate Meat Dist. is recalling about 28,356 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The products were sold under WinCo, Wal-Mart, Kroger and Albertsons brands; FSIS said test results from a sample were actionable.
Source excerpt
Clackamas, Oregon -based Interstate Meat Dist. Inc. is recalling around 28,356 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service or FSIS announced.
FSIS conducted an assessment of the third-party laboratory's accreditation and methodologies and determined the results were actionable.
The products were sold under the brands of WinCo, Wal-Mart, Kroger, and Albertsons.
2021
Ready Pac Foods recalls ready-to-eat salad products over undeclared allergen
Recall announced
Ready Pac Foods recalled about 222,915 pounds of ready-to-eat salads containing meat or poultry after its dressing supplier notified it that a shipment labeled as ranch dressing may contain Caesar dressing with anchovies, an undeclared allergen on the salad labels. No confirmed adverse reactions had been reported. Consumers were advised to discard or return the products.
Source excerpt
Ready Pac Foods, Inc. is recalling around 222,915 pounds of ready-to-eat or RTE salad products with meat and poultry due to the presence of recalled salad dressing, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service or FSIS.
However, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products to date.
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to throw them away or return to the place of purchase.
2021
Dole recalls packaged salads over possible Listeria contamination
Recall announced
Dole Fresh Vegetables announced a voluntary recall of Dole-branded and private-label packaged salads processed at its Bessemer City, North Carolina, and Yuma, Arizona, facilities due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The source says the decision followed findings of the bacteria in samples from two products and notes that the implicated strain is believed by FDA and CDC to be responsible for at least sixteen illnesses since 2014.
Company response
Recall — Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. has announced that they are voluntarily recalling all Dole-branded and private label packaged salads processed at its Bessemer City, NC and its Yuma, AZ production facilities from the market due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
Remediation — Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, Dole is also temporarily suspending operations at both facilities to conduct their extensive cleaning and sanitation protocol.
Source excerpt
The decision to suspend operations and recall all products from those facilities was made after finding, and analyzing, the strain of Listeria monocytogenes that was isolated in a single package of Dole-branded Garden Salad produced in the Bessemer City facility and a single package of shredded iceberg lettuce produced in the Yuma, AZ facility.
The recalled products come from the following brands: Ahold, Dole, Kroger, Lidl, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, Naturally Better, Natures Promise, and Simply Nature.
Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. has announced that they are voluntarily recalling all Dole-branded and private label packaged salads processed at its Bessemer City, NC and its Yuma, AZ production facilities from the market due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
2021
Butterball recalls ground turkey products over possible blue plastic contamination
Recall announced
Butterball, LLC, is recalling approximately 14,107 pounds of ground turkey products after consumer complaints reported pieces of blue plastic embedded in raw ground turkey. The recall includes Butterball and Kroger products shipped to retail locations nationwide; no confirmed consumption-related injuries were reported.
Source excerpt
3-lb. tray containing “Kroger GROUND TURKEY” with the case code 50211271, a sell or freeze by date of 10/17/2021, and timestamps from 2314 through 2351 printed on the packaging.
The problem was discovered when FSIS and the establishment received consumer complaints reporting pieces of blue plastic embedded in raw ground turkey produced by Est. 7345.
2021
Crider Foods recalls canned beef products over possible lead contamination
Recall announced
Crider Foods recalled approximately 525,717 pounds of canned beef with gravy products that may contain unsafe levels of lead because of a spice mix from an outside supplier. The affected products included Hargis House, Clover Valley, Kroger, Hostess, Laura Lynn, ARMOUR and HARVEST CREEK items.
Source excerpt
· 12-oz. cans of “ARMOUR Roast Beef WITH GRAVY” with best buy dates of 10/22/2022 and 3/15/2023.
· 12-oz. cans of “Clover Valley FULLY COOKED ROAST BEEF WITH GRAVY” with best buy dates of 10/22/2022 and 3/15/2023.
· 12-oz. cans of “Hostess ROAST BEEF WITH GRAVY” with best buy dates of 10/22/2022 and 3/15/2023.
2021
Kroger reports vendor data breach affecting pharmacy and associate records
Issue disclosure
Kroger said a data breach at third-party software provider Accellion affected some associate HR data, pharmacy records and money services. Kroger said its own IT systems were not affected and that it was contacting impacted people.
Company response
Ongoing disclosure — Kroger
It is in the process of contacting those impacted to inform them of the incident.
Investigation — Kroger
Federal law enforcement was notified, and Kroger initiated its own forensic investigation.
Source excerpt
Kroger says it was informed of the breach Jan. 23 and immediately discontinued use of Accellioin’s services.
Kroger does say some associate HR data, some pharmacy records and some money services have been affected.
CINCINNATI (FOX19) - Kroger is informing some customers and associates that a third-party software company it uses for data services recently suffered a data breach.
2021
Kroger discloses pharmacy-customer data breach
Issue disclosure
Kroger issued a notice advising pharmacy customers of a data breach involving Accellion, its third-party file-transfer service. Kroger said it believed fewer than 1% of its customers, specifically customers of Kroger Health and Money Services, were impacted, and that certain HR records were also affected.
Company response
Remediation — Kroger
out of an abundance of caution Kroger has arranged to offer credit monitoring to all affected individuals at no cost to them.
Ongoing disclosure — Kroger
Kroger representatives will “directly contact all customers and associates who may have been affected to inform them of the incident.
Investigation — Kroger
The grocery company started its own forensic investigation into the potential scope and impact of the data breach.
Remediation — Kroger
Kroger stopped using Accellion's services after being informed of the incident.
Source excerpt
Kroger announced the incident was isolated to Accellion’s service, a third-party vendor.
out of an abundance of caution Kroger has arranged to offer credit monitoring to all affected individuals at no cost to them.
The Kroger Co. issued a notice advising of a data breach to its pharmacy customers.
2021
Kroger discloses pharmacy data breach
Issue disclosure
Kroger disclosed that it was affected by a data breach involving Accellion’s services. The incident may have involved personal health data and insurance information; Kroger said no credit or debit card information or customer account passwords were affected. Kroger said it discontinued use of Accellion’s services, reported the incident to federal law enforcement, and began a forensic investigation. It also offered free credit monitoring to affected customers.
Company response
Remediation — Kroger
The store will offer free credit monitoring to anyone affected
Investigation — Kroger
initiated its own forensic investigation to review the potential scope and impact of the incident
Remediation — Kroger
discontinued the use of Accellion’s services
Ongoing disclosure — Kroger
is reaching out to any customers who have been impacted by the breach
Source excerpt
The supermarket chain says the Little Clinic breach could have involved personal health data and insurance information.
The store will offer free credit monitoring to anyone affected and is reaching out to any customers who have been impacted by the breach.
Grocery chain Kroger on Friday became the latest to reveal it was affected by the breach.
2021
Kroger confirms breach of files held by Accellion
Issue disclosure
Kroger confirmed that an unauthorized person accessed certain Kroger files by exploiting a vulnerability in Accellion's file-transfer software. Kroger estimated that fewer than 1% of customers, specifically from Kroger Health and Kroger Money Services, had data exposed; certain human resources records were also impacted. Kroger said grocery store systems and data, payment-card information, and customer account passwords were not affected.
Company response
Investigation — The Kroger Co.
The retailer said that, at the time, it also reported the incident to federal law enforcement and launched its own forensic inquiry to review the potential scope and impact of the incident.
Remediation — The Kroger Co.
Kroger has arranged to offer credit monitoring to all affected individuals at no cost to them.
Source excerpt
The retailer said that, at the time, it also reported the incident to federal law enforcement and launched its own forensic inquiry to review the potential scope and impact of the incident.
Kroger said late Friday that it received notification from Palo Alto, Calif.-based Accellion that an unauthorized person had gained access to certain Kroger files by exploiting a vulnerability in Accellion’s secure file-transfer appliance product, Accellion FTA.
The Kroger Co. has confirmed a data breach in connection with a vulnerability in file transfer software it used from data security and services firm Accellion Inc.
2021
Kroger discloses customer and employee data exposure in vendor breach
Issue disclosure
Kroger said it was among the victims of a December cyberattack involving Accellion’s file-transfer service. The company said some Health and Money Services customers and current and former employees may have been affected, and that it was notifying potentially impacted customers and offering free credit monitoring.
Company response
Ongoing disclosure — Kroger
is notifying potentially impacted customers
Remediation — Kroger
offering them free credit monitoring
Source excerpt
Kroger Co. says it was among the multiple victims of a data breach involving a third-party vendor's file-transfer service and is notifying potentially impacted customers, offering them free credit monitoring.
The Cincinnati-based grocery and pharmacy chain said in a statement Friday that it believes less than 1% of its customers were affected — specifically some using its Health and Money Services — as well as some current and former employees because a number of personnel records were apparently viewed.
Kroger said it was among victims of the December hack of a file-transfer product called FTA developed by Accellion, a California-based company
2020
Second COVID-19 case reported at Kroger Memphis warehouse
Safety incident
In April 2020, Kroger announced that a second employee at its Memphis warehouse had tested positive for COVID-19. According to the company, the associate was at home recovering. Kroger also stated that it believed the two cases at the facility were related. The announcement identified the positive test result and the employee's recovery status at home, and characterized the two cases as related, without further details on the individuals involved or additional measures.
Company response
Remediation — Kroger
We will continue aggressively cleaning and sanitizing the facility.
Source excerpt
Kroger announced a second employee at the company's Memphis warehouse has tested positive for COVID-19.
We will continue aggressively cleaning and sanitizing the facility.
The associate was asked to self-isolate last Friday after the first case was announced. They are home and recovering. We believe the two cases are related.
2020
EEOC files discrimination lawsuit against Kroger
Lawsuit filed
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against Kroger. The lawsuit alleges that a store discriminated against two employees who refused to wear aprons bearing a rainbow emblem for religious reasons and were terminated. The allegations in the lawsuit are not a court determination.
The EEOC filed a lawsuit against Kroger, alleging that a store discriminated against two employees who refused to wear rainbow-emblem aprons for religious reasons and were terminated. The allegations are not a court determination.
Source excerpt
Two employees were terminated after they refused to abide by the new dress code that required wearing pro-LGBT aprons depicting a rainbow-colored heart emblem which they feared would signify the endorsing of the LGBTQ movement which is against their religious beliefs.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against Kroger Company on Monday for the discriminatory behavior of Kroger Store No. 625 in Conway, Arkansas against the two employees.
2020
EEOC sues Kroger over religious accommodation
Lawsuit filed
In a legal action reported in September 2020, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Kroger, alleging that a store in Arkansas violated federal law by firing two employees who sought a religious accommodation concerning an emblem they were asked to wear. According to the EEOC's allegation, the two employees requested an accommodation on religious grounds regarding the emblem and were terminated. The suit concerns the employer's obligation under federal law to accommodate employees' religious practices. The available account does not specify the outcome of the case or further details beyond the EEOC's allegation.
The EEOC sued Kroger, alleging that a store in Arkansas violated federal law by firing two employees who sought a religious accommodation concerning an emblem they were asked to wear.
Source excerpt
A Kroger store in Arkansas “violated federal law when it fired two employees who asked for a religious accommodation to avoid wearing an emblem they believed contradicted their religious beliefs,” the EEOC said in a lawsuit.
Kroger Company sued by EEOC for religious discrimination
2020
Kroger Fuel Center fined over workplace COVID-19 safety violations
Fine or penalty
In December 2020, Michigan officials fined a Kroger Fuel Center $6,300 for workplace COVID-19 safety violations. According to the state, the violations included not developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan and not informing employees of possible workplace exposure. The fine was among penalties announced against several Michigan businesses for COVID-19 safety violations.
Michigan officials fined Kroger Fuel Center $6,300 for workplace COVID-19 safety violations, including not developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan and not informing employees of possible workplace exposure.
Source excerpt
Five Michigan businesses have been fined for violating COVID-19 safety rules and putting workers at risk, state officials said.
Kroger Fuel Center Location: Roseville Fine amount: $6,300 Violations: Not developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan. Not informing employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.
2019
Almark expands recall of egg products over Listeria concerns
Recall announced
Almark Foods expanded a recall to include 88 egg products produced at its Gainesville, Georgia, plant that may be contaminated with Listeria. The FDA said an outbreak linked to Almark's eggs had sickened at least seven people, with one death reported. Almark said it temporarily suspended production at the plant. The recall was reported in connection with retailers including Kroger.
Almark Foods expanded its recall to include 88 egg products produced at its Gainesville, Georgia, plant that may be contaminated with Listeria. The FDA said an outbreak linked to Almark’s eggs had sickened at least seven people, with one death reported. Almark said it temporarily suspended production at the plant.
Company response
Recall — Almark Foods
“Out of an abundance of caution,” Almark issued the expanded recall to include all egg products produced at the facility.
Source excerpt
Almark Foods has issued an expanded recall to include 88 different egg products produced at its Gainesville, Georgia, plant that may also be contaminated with Listeria.
The company has temporarily suspended all production at the plant.
The affected eggs were distributed nationwide under the 7 Select, Almark Foods, Best Choice, CMI, Dairy Fresh, Deb-El, Egglands Best, Everyday Essentials, Farmers Hen House, Food Club, Giant Eagle, Great Day, Great Value, Inspired Organics, Kroger, LIDL, Lucerne, Members Mark, Naturally Better, Nellie’s, O Organics, Peckish, Pete & Gerry’s Rainbow Farms, Rembrandt Foods, ShopRite, Simple Truth Organics, Sunshine, Vital Farms, and Wild Harvest brands.